Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading I confess I hardly knew him at first.

reduced in size or pulled together

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

in a delightful manner

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

the month following January and preceding March

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading I confess I hardly knew him at first.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

a man of refinement

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

a tool used by an engraver

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

Irish mathematician (1806-1865)

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

only a very short time before

From this reading I confess I hardly knew him at first.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

discontinued temporarily

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I confess I hardly knew him at first.

a landlord who is a woman

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

a relaxed comfortable feeling

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

temporary living quarters

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

a particular point in time

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

United States film actor (born in 1925)

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

Identical; not different.

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

impressive in appearance

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

an idea that is suggested

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

in or at that place or location

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

a diluting agent

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

lacking grace; clumsy

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading He had grown a beard, and looked thinner and graver than he used to do.

-ing form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading I told her to show him up, and she returned in a moment, ushering in, to my extreme surprise, Arthur Hamilton.

precisely as stated

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

at the time that

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

which person or people

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had the same slow, almost stately movement, with a slight and not ungraceful suggestion of languor; his manner was somewhat changed, and very much improved; and he had contracted, from living so long with strangers, a delightfully frank and free way of speaking.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading About the middle of February, 1879, I was sitting at work in my lodgings in Newman Street, when I was interrupted by the advent of my landlady, to inform me that there was a gentleman below who wished to see me.